Natalie Nicole Huey 1993 - 2022

Natalie passed away from complications due to a chronic illness on December 25 of 2022.

She was taken from all of us far too early and will be greatly missed. Natalie was an avid climber and in the past year alone spent time living and climbing in Las Vegas, Bishop, and Boulder. In the three years I knew her I had many of my longest, most challenging, and most memorable climbing adventures together with her. Many of the climbing partners of hers I have talked with in the last month shared similar experiences. She was someone who pushed her partners to achieve their best.

As a memorial to Natalie, I am planning on taking a piece from her rack (a cam, she never enjoyed placing nuts) and passing it between all her many partners and friends within the climbing community so everyone can have one more adventure with her in spirit. And in a way she can get in a few more fun climbs.

I haven't thought out all the details, but something similar to this.

 If this is something you would like to participate in please add you name to this spreadsheet.

This is long over due and I wanted to add my condolences.  Although we had our differences we greatly respected each other and enjoyed climbing and adventuring together. She was one the very few ( I had only 2) who would be down for a huge adventure with hard climbing where we might get our butts whooped. I highly respected her straight forward comunication style and complete reliability when we made plans. Together we completed a huge goal together of climbing "edge of time arete".  We did however spend the night on the mountain and blamed each other in the aftermath. Once again her straight forward communication style lent to an honest and open discussion of what happened and I greatly appreciate that. What an adventure that was and a testament at the time of how hard we could push ourselves. I can't believe she just up and left this earth after that and we never climbed again. I had about 1 year with her until her untimely death and I think about her too often. Natalie, you are missed. 

I spent two days in the high sierra with Natalie and we talked a lot so we got to know each other a bit. We climbed Sky Pilot on Goode together and had a great time. I was intimidated by the 5.11 pg-13 pitch and she happily took that lead.

We tried planning another big high sierra adventure but it didn't work out. She was so eager to get out and do big alpine climbs. I admired her determination. I think about her a lot now.

Just stumbled upon this. Climbed with her a handful of times in Vegas during 2022 winter/spring season, around the time she contracted Lyme. Horrible news. RIP.

Nat and I shared friends and met in Yosemite, later climbed ice in RMNP.  She was super motivated and focused on learning a new medium and there was no doubt she was well on her way. I was impressed with her confidence and commitment. She knew what she wanted to do and wasn’t scared to go for it. I appreciated how she talked about her family and sensed the love there. Taken way too soon. This thread stings. I was going to reach out to her in hopes we could rope up again. Her loss inspires me to focus on what matters. You’ll be missed friend. 

I put the following together for Natalie's memorial. Posting here for posterity.

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“I ran into Brianna. She’s also climbing Positive Vibrations. They’re starting the route at 5AM,” I said to Natalie, huddled over the pot of soup that would be our backcountry dinner. “That’s fine”, she responded casually. “We’ll start at 4:30.”

And so it was when climbing with Natalie. While she was relaxed on many fronts, she had goals, plans, and tactics that weren’t up for debate. Being second in line was one of them. Running out of water was another. We always started up a route with enough water to climb the route twice.

By 5AM the next morning, I’d finished the route’s first pitch. Brianna arrived at the base as Natalie started up the wall. The day was proceeding as orchestrated. On her back, Natalie carried the day’s clothing, food, and five liters of water, the pack weighing a significant portion of her pint-sized self. She made quick work of the reachy moves and arrived at the anchor, thanking me for taking the “tall person sections”. Our roles on the team were explicit. I take the pitches with reachy moves or scant gear. She takes, as she put it, the “glorious face climbing”. And we were faster because of it.

Part way up the wall, Natalie handed off the pack with a look of relief. “Can’t we ditch some water?” I pleaded, knowing I would find the upcoming sections challenging at sea level with no pack, let alone in this situation. “We’ll move way slower if I get dehydrated,” Natalie responded. And with part logic, part stubbornness, and the ever-present goal to move fast, the matter was settled. On we climbed.

Natalie made easy work of the route’s remaining climbing, moving with poise and resolve. Multiple times she winched me through a challenging section with a smile and good-humored heckling. We’d distanced ourselves from the trailing parties and were quickly at the top, both thankful to have started so early. Completing the usual summit routine (high-five, selfie, snack), we rigged the first of many rappels down. 

Back on the ground, we reveled in the sun, free from the lurking stress of the climb. The usual tasks proceeded. Change shoes. Coil rope. Repack bags. Another snack. “Natalie, I carried this up the wall, but I refuse to carry it down” I said as I dumped the remaining three liters of water on the ground. She offered a bashful smile. Both of us knew this scene would replay itself on future climbs.”

The brightest candle, which burns at both ends, burns half as long. Natalie, your light will always be remembered. Lead on.

I'm so sorry for your loss, and sorry to her family and friends. Beautiful adventure pics and loving stories.

I am so sorry for the loss. I am speachless.

I knew Natalie climbing in Montreal while we both attended Mcgill. I remember climbing with her and her roommates (who were all a merry bunch) at Allez-Up, Montagne D'argent and Val-David.

I was lucky enough to have climbed with her more recently when our paths cross again in Colorado during the Covid years. 

She was fun to climb with and always had a smile